BOSTON, Mass.- Eighteen individuals across Massachusetts and several other states have been arrested and charged in connection with a federal drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy authorities say was led out of Gardner, Massachusetts.
The defendants are accused of participating in a multi-state scheme involving the distribution of large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and counterfeit pills across jurisdictions including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, Oklahoma, California, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii. Prosecutors say the operation was based in North Worcester County.
According to charging documents, Hai Son Pham, 39, of Gardner, is alleged to have led the drug trafficking organization. Authorities state that Pham and co-conspirators coordinated distribution activities across multiple states while managing financial activity intended to conceal proceeds.
Investigators allege Pham controlled a commercial and residential painting business, Infinite Painting, which was used to launder drug proceeds through multiple financial institutions by disguising the illicit origin of the funds.
The defendants appeared in federal court proceedings last week in Worcester, Massachusetts, as well as in Trenton, New Jersey; Orlando, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Riverside, California; and Honolulu, Hawaii. The case is being prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
The defendants include Hai Son Pham, Kelly Breault, Boonphet Sysoumang, Rafael Moreno, Andres Montemayor, James Jah, Cesar Gonzalez, Courtney Spaulding, Abdeem Griffin, Rhonda Reed, Fong Yang, Kenneth Godfrey, Scorpio Ramos, Giovan Colon, Gary Boucher, David Vega, Frederick Hrdy, and Jose Garcia.
All are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Federal prosecutors allege coordinated distribution and financial transactions designed to conceal drug proceeds.
If convicted, defendants face up to 20 years in prison on the drug conspiracy charge, along with supervised release and financial penalties. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and additional fines.
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